In Entity Framework code-first, why can't I use SQL Server Express in the connection string?

Question

I'm building my first ASP.NET MVC application using the code-first approach.

When I changed the default connection string's "Data Source" from:

Data Source=(LocalDb)\v11.0

to

Data Source=.\Sqlexpress

I encountered error about an error contains this:

A database with the same name exists, or specified file cannot be opened, or it is located on UNC share.

When I reverted the changes I made to "Data Source" it worked.

Why did this happened ? Do I have always to use this data source ?

stop attaching a file, use something like: "Data Source=.\SqlExpress;Initial Catalog=DBName;Integrated Security=True;MultipleActiveResultSets=True". Otherwise read this [post](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1450032/how-to-attach-mdf-file-to-sqlexpress) — tschmit007, Aug 25 '14 at 13:42

Oualid KTATA · Answer 1 · 2014-08-25T00:31:18.260

0

Try to delete the local db and let code first create it. The message is very clear you have to instruct EF to createIfNotExists.

edited Aug 25 '14 at 00:31

answered Aug 25 '14 at 00:13

Oualid KTATA

The problem is not creating database every time, it's that I've to use '(LocalDb)\v11.0' in Data Source instead of using what I want (like .\SqlExpress for example) – Dabbas Aug 25 '14 at 00:16
Try to delete the local db and let code first create it. – Oualid KTATA Aug 25 '14 at 00:23
Look at this then: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/15318843/localdb-how-do-you-delete-it – Oualid KTATA Aug 25 '14 at 00:25

1 Answers1